Airfix 1/72 B-17G-65-BO 'Skyway Chariot'
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/3/0/6/1558306-78214-67-720.jpg)
Before I began construction, I had to ensure proper fit of the crew. Some of the figures required a huge amount reshaping in the process.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/3/1/5/1558315-78214-48-720.jpg)
The crew was given 100% oxygen in the form of lead wire and Mr. Hobby Dissolved Putty.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/3/1/4/1558314-78214-40-720.jpg)
The Pilot is busy keeping the aircraft in formation while the Copilot scans for enemy fighters.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/3/1/3/1558313-78214-42-720.jpg)
I didn't put arms on the top turret gunner, which made him easier to put in. He just needed a stand fabricated at the base of the turret.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/3/1/2/1558312-78214-97-720.jpg)
The togglier (bombardier) holding the nose turret controls.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/3/1/1/1558311-78214-95-720.jpg)
Navigator
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/3/0/9/1558309-78214-25-720.jpg)
Radio operator
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/3/1/0/1558310-78214-22-720.jpg)
The waist gunner turning to retrieve some additional ammo. B-17 missions in 1945 often had a single waist gunner because the risk of enemy fighters was low.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/3/0/7/1558307-78214-23-720.jpg)
Tail gunner. The seat was moved forward, so he can be seen better from the outside.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/3/0/5/1558305-78214-12-720.jpg)
The ball turret gunner. I saved this one for last because I wasn't even sure if I could fit a figure in there.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/3/0/3/1558303-78214-18-720.jpg)
Testing the in-flight layout
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/0/1/0/1560010-78214-92-720.jpg)
A couple key items for the project arrived in the mail today. The decals are from the first edition of the kit, which I prefer (thanks Tony!) The metal .50 barrels will replace the fragile plastic ones from the kit.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/1/9/1/1569191-78214-98-720.jpg)
The crew is slowly being painted. I definitely underestimated the time and effort that these figures would take.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/2/4/1/1581241-78214-43-720.jpg)
I finished the crew after a very busy few weeks at my job. Not perfect, but good enough to me.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/0/4/8/1583048-78214-35-720.jpg)
Test fitting the figures with the clear parts installed.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/0/4/9/1583049-78214-30-720.jpg)
Finished cockpit with figures installed. Added scratch built boxes on top of the glare shield.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/1/3/7/1600137-78214-20-720.jpg)
I needed to install a clear rod into the bomb bay, so I decided this was a good time to plan and build the display base.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/1/3/6/1600136-78214-41-720.jpg)
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/1/6/5/1600165-78214-48-720.jpg)
The finished display base. Everything is still dry fitted. Next, I will glue the clear rod into the B-17 and continue working on the interior.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/6/4/6/1609646-78214-43-720.jpg)
Nose compartment finished
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/1/8/4/1612184-78214-13-720.jpg)
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/1/8/5/1612185-78214-63-720.jpg)
Radio room finished
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/8/2/3/1674823-78214-45-720.jpg)
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/8/2/1/1674821-78214-45-720.jpg)
The Ball Turret gunner is in. His left hand and head are barely visible to the right of the toothpick. The fit was so tight that I didn't need to use glue. 5x zoom reveals gaps that need to be filled.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/3/0/5/1715305-78214-32-720.jpg)
27 different windows to mask on the ball turret alone.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/3/0/4/1715304-78214-45-720.jpg)
Surprisingly, the ball turret gunner can still barely be seen inside the finished turret.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/3/0/3/1715303-78214-95-720.jpg)
The finished ball turret glued into a downward angled position. This will be set aside until the very end of the build.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/3/0/9/1718309-78214-47-720.jpg)
The waist gunner is in place and now I think I'm finally ready to glue the fuselage halves together.
Komentáře
43 25 September 2023, 21:22
![](/profiles/img/54161-292-s.jpg)
It's just a shame it has to be closed up! Unless you display it 1/2 open to see inside. So cool!
2 March, 11:54
![](/profiles/img/78214-956-s.jpg)
Thanks for the comments everyone. I hope to make a B-17 fuselage that shows the interior in the future.
2 March, 13:09